Dual Channel Memory Question

Dyre Straits · Mar 16, 2005, 09:57 AM

On my ABIT IC7-G, I have 2 sticks of Kingston memory installed in the alternating slots. This produces an automatic Dual Channel memory mode.

There are 4 slots altogether and the board will support up to 4 GB total RAM.

Question is: If I populate all 4 slots, will that eliminate the Dual Channel mode? I know it does if I put the RAM sticks in adjoining slots rather than alternating slots.

NOTE: I realize there's not a great benefit using Dual Channel. But, I do like it.

Tipstaff · Mar 16, 2005, 06:02 PM

Nope, everything should still work afterwards. You board essentially has 2 channels (slots 1&3, 2&4). When you populate those last 2 slots it's wise to buy identical ram, either the same as the first pair, or at least identical pairs. That way you can maintain consistancy throughout the system, or at the very least each channel. This also helps with system stability, and will give you less of a problem (hopefully).

- Tip

Logla · Mar 16, 2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

NOTE: I realize there's not a great benefit using Dual Channel. But, I do like it.

For games and other memory intensive applications, Dual Channel is very beneficial.

Although you'd never notice whilst surfing the net.

Dyre Straits · Mar 17, 2005, 03:02 AM

Well, Fry's has the same memory I bought a few months ago on sale now for $99 after a $30 rebate. This is Kingston PC3200 and I've been quite happy with what I've got now. If I go get this, it would boost my total RAM to 2 GB.

Tipstaff · Mar 17, 2005, 06:16 AM

Um.. it wouldn't happen to say KVR400X64C3A/512 on the stick would it?

I mentioned this in another thread recently. Kingston doesn't actually make their ram. Instead, they send out design specs to manufacturers, and have them made for them. What happens is that depending on when your ram was made you could end up buying ram from different manufacturers, even though they say Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 on them. (of note: this is a common practice among all ram manufacturers.. even OCZ) In my system I have 2 Gigs of Kingtson KVR400X64C3A ram (4 sticks). The first pair I bought back in December 04 had Kingtson stamped on the ram chips themselves, and were rated to support CAS timings of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0, however they autoset to CAS 3.0 (hence the C3 marking). Last month I picked up 2 more pair of Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 as I needed the extra ram for video/picture editing. Wouldn't you know it they were stamped with the Samsung branding, and are instead rated at CAS 2.5, and 3.0 only (autoset to CAS 3.0). I nearly shat bricks thinking that I'd run into problems. So far, so good, and only because I don't try to overclock my system, as well I don't try to push the CAS timings lower than what they are rated/autoset at. (funny thing is.. I did try once, and I actually shat bricks when my system locked up

.. I won't do that again) Recently I bought another set of KVR400X64C3A/512, and again they were made by someone else. Thankfully their ratings are the same as the Samsung made ones.

The lesson here is that you 'should' be fine as long as you buy them as a pair, and are not trying to push the CAS timings below their rated spec, however, find out what the return policy is just to be safe. My intention isn't to scare you away from buying the ram, but just to better inform you. As long as you use the ram at their rated timings you should be fine. (I definatly won't be screwing with it again

)

- Tip

Dyre Straits · Mar 17, 2005, 06:28 AM

Hi, Tipstaff,

I've used Kingston for quite some time. I've rarely had a problem. Usually, if I do, it's right out of the box and not some time down the road. In those couple of cases over several years I was able to quickly return and replace the faulty stick.

My current RAM in my gaming rig was bought just 3-4 months ago. The label says: KVR400AK2/1GR. This is a package with 2 sticks for the purpose of using it in Dual Memory systems. In the small print it also says, 1GB PC3200 CL3, 184 Pin DIMM Kit (2 pcs.)

So, this is also likely set for CAS 3. I have my BIOS settings set to SPD for the RAM and I have no real complaints as to how the system is performing overall. However, since I'm dabbling in movie making and graphic rendering, I'm thinking the additional RAM will be helpful for those functions.

AND, of course, I DO like my games!

Tipstaff · Mar 17, 2005, 06:33 AM

Sweet.

Same here. Gaming all the way. I'm doing some editing on the side for a customer, and I figured it'd be a great time to load up on ram. Thankfully I haven't had a problem with the default SPD timings, and as long as I stay away from manually setting them I'll be fine (and after what I went through to get my system back up and running after fooling with them last time... I AM staying away from them permantly

).

- Tip

Matth · Mar 17, 2005, 09:06 PM

Some setups will drop from DDR400 to DDR333 if all slots are loaded, particulary if all are loaded with double sided RAM.

Tipstaff · Mar 18, 2005, 05:04 AM

True, but he should be fine in that regards. He's using an board based on the Intel 875 chipset, so it shouldn't clock it back. I have seen it happen on a number of AMD based boards, and Intel boards using other chipsets.

Good information to remember though for others reading this.

- Tip

Necrosis · Mar 18, 2005, 01:53 PM

Yes some of the A64 boards will do that but normally if you set the clock freq. to 200 it fixes the issue. However, you will need to make sure the ram is getting enough voltage.

I had 8 banks in my Asus P4P800 that run fine at 200. I just couldn't do PAT.

jasonbourne · Mar 20, 2005, 09:38 PM

my games used to jump alot till i started using dual channel on my pc.i really cound tell the difference in a few seconds after playing hl2.

Mar 16, 2005, 06:02 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Nope, everything should still work afterwards. You board essentially has 2 channels (slots 1&3, 2&4). When you populate those last 2 slots it's wise to buy identical ram, either the same as the first pair, or at least identical pairs. That way you can maintain consistancy throughout the system, or at the very least each channel. This also helps with system stability, and will give you less of a problem (hopefully). - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 17, 2005, 06:16 AM	#5
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Um.. it wouldn't happen to say KVR400X64C3A/512 on the stick would it? I mentioned this in another thread recently. Kingston doesn't actually make their ram. Instead, they send out design specs to manufacturers, and have them made for them. What happens is that depending on when your ram was made you could end up buying ram from different manufacturers, even though they say Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 on them. (of note: this is a common practice among all ram manufacturers.. even OCZ) In my system I have 2 Gigs of Kingtson KVR400X64C3A ram (4 sticks). The first pair I bought back in December 04 had Kingtson stamped on the ram chips themselves, and were rated to support CAS timings of 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0, however they autoset to CAS 3.0 (hence the C3 marking). Last month I picked up 2 more pair of Kingston KVR400X64C3A/512 as I needed the extra ram for video/picture editing. Wouldn't you know it they were stamped with the Samsung branding, and are instead rated at CAS 2.5, and 3.0 only (autoset to CAS 3.0). I nearly shat bricks thinking that I'd run into problems. So far, so good, and only because I don't try to overclock my system, as well I don't try to push the CAS timings lower than what they are rated/autoset at. (funny thing is.. I did try once, and I actually shat bricks when my system locked up .. I won't do that again) Recently I bought another set of KVR400X64C3A/512, and again they were made by someone else. Thankfully their ratings are the same as the Samsung made ones. The lesson here is that you 'should' be fine as long as you buy them as a pair, and are not trying to push the CAS timings below their rated spec, however, find out what the return policy is just to be safe. My intention isn't to scare you away from buying the ram, but just to better inform you. As long as you use the ram at their rated timings you should be fine. (I definatly won't be screwing with it again ) - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Mar 17, 2005 at 06:21 AM.

Mar 17, 2005, 06:33 AM	#7
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Sweet. Same here. Gaming all the way. I'm doing some editing on the side for a customer, and I figured it'd be a great time to load up on ram. Thankfully I haven't had a problem with the default SPD timings, and as long as I stay away from manually setting them I'll be fine (and after what I went through to get my system back up and running after fooling with them last time... I AM staying away from them permantly ). - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 18, 2005, 05:04 AM	#9
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	True, but he should be fine in that regards. He's using an board based on the Intel 875 chipset, so it shouldn't clock it back. I have seen it happen on a number of AMD based boards, and Intel boards using other chipsets. Good information to remember though for others reading this. - Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Mar 20, 2005, 09:38 PM	#11
jasonbourne DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: great yarmouth uk Posts: 1,082 Rep Power: 0	my games used to jump alot till i started using dual channel on my pc.i really cound tell the difference in a few seconds after playing hl2. __________________ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...asonBourne.jpg

Mar 17, 2005, 09:06 PM	#8
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Some setups will drop from DDR400 to DDR333 if all slots are loaded, particulary if all are loaded with double sided RAM.

Mar 18, 2005, 01:53 PM	#10
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Yes some of the A64 boards will do that but normally if you set the clock freq. to 200 it fixes the issue. However, you will need to make sure the ram is getting enough voltage. I had 8 banks in my Asus P4P800 that run fine at 200. I just couldn't do PAT.